Monday, March 26, 2007

autochthonous \aw-TOK-thuh-nuhs\, adjective:1. Aboriginal; indigenous; native.2. Formed or originating in the place where found

Today, the girls and I drove over to the lovely rolling hills of Indiana to pick up my Mom's dog, Bailey. Mom is heading up to Columbus tomorrow for a hearing regarding my father's estate. Get this...it's a classic case of "Let's go after the poor widow". My Dad did some work for a company up in Youngstown, Ohio a year before he died. All of you who knew my Dad also knew his work ethic. "Get it done right". Well, Dad had to go up there and fix all kinds of stuff that the company kept breaking (they were messing with the machinery and effing it up) When Dad died, Mom got a letter stating that the company was going to SUE MY DAD for work undone.My Mom, while trying to mourn my father, has had to deal with these evil numb-nuts and their attorneys. Hopefully, this hearing will resolve it...it's been going on for 2 years.Other people have been messing with my Mom, too. The man who bought my Dad's company before Dad died has abandoned it and owes Mom lots of money, has let her health insurance lapse twice (she had to go get new insurance because of the asshole) and is an all-around dickhead. And there's nothing I can do to help her. I want, very much, to find these pricks and beat the everlovin' shit out of them.

To wash the dirt from your minds, let's look at some flowers:

Mom's violas...did you know that they are actually perennials? I didn't know that.If Mary can take pictures of bees, so can I, by gum!This photo makes me think of that song..."Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees,The flowers and the trees..."If you click on the picture, you can also see a tiny black ant in the upper left corner. I didn't see it until I uploaded.Everyone is starting to wake up from their long winter's nap. This woolly bear was brought to my attention by Isabelle and Lorelei. If you click on this one, you can see one of Isabelle's blond hairs on his back!

We went down to the Oxbow after picking up Bailey. I knew that the water would be high, but I didn't expect this on the road! If you click on this one, you can see my reflection in his eyes.Don't get any ideas, big guy. I have my own prince to kiss at home!

And,yes, I have perennial violas here. If the sun beats on the south side of the house in February with little snow cover some even come out then! Mine will even take nights below freezing. I love them. They make me soooo happy.

Not even remotely offended here . . . in fact, I found your language to be restrained considering the circumstances. I wish all the best for your mom. We will all hope that what goes around, comes around and soon. SHAME on them. Shame, shame, shame on them. And I hope they all get boils on their butts. Big, painful ones. That hurt! A lot!

I hope there is still a little fairness and justice in the world and that your mother finds some.

I went to hear Julie Zickefoose give one of her wonderful presentations Sunday. You and your, ummm, "relationship" with Junior were featured prominently. It was cool hearing her talk about one of the first bloggers I read.

If you want to clear the bitter taste from your mouth and bring a smile to your face, take a walk at the Cincinnati Nature Center this week. I went there for my lunch break today - the daffodils are in bloom as well as many native wildflowers: White Trout Lily, Common Blue Violet, Spring Beautys and one of my all-time faves - Dutchman's Breeches.

While watching/listening to a singing Chipping Sparrow, I heard this strange trilling sound and tracked it to the vernal pools by the lodge parking area...

AMERICAN TOADS were singing! I could watch them puff up their throats and sing away, while covered in duckweed. (Like a guy trying to impress you, but you notice he has a stain on his tie) You could even watch little tiny ripples in the water around their bodies as they sang.

Quite a mind-cleanser after spending yesteday at a funeral home (a dear friend's father died suddenly)

Click on this link when you are having a bad day and need a giggle

A Glossary for newcomers to the blog:

"Embrace your Inner Sheep": You'll just have to read back a ways for the explanation of that one.

FTS (Also known as F*** the Swainsons): When you just cannot, under any circumstances, get out and look at another bird today. That's it. I don't care what it is. F*** the Swainsons!

The Flock: A group of women (and a few men thrown in for good measure) who met here in Cyberspace and now travel together to birding festivals. We are unique in this because birders don't usually travel in "packs".

Learning Lemur: (See Science Chimp)

RAPTOR: A Cincinnati-based rehab center for birds of prey (also where I work)

Science Chimp: A term coined by Julie Zickefoose. Meaning anyone who sees something nature-oriented (whether it be scat or bones or the scene of a predator strike) and MUST figure out the circumstances. There is much grunting and "eep-eep-eeping" involved in a full-on Science Chimp display. Someone who is learning the art of Chimping can be called a "Learning Lemur".

"Squeee!": This is a noise you make when something is so cute or perfect, no other word will do.

"What? Lynne has herpes?": What your blogger heard and said during a quiet moment at an owl prowl when someone said that Lynne (Hasty Brook) has groupies.